Franklin’s interest in music.
This article by Mark Gresham is a nice overview of Franklin’s musical life. I especially like the YouTube link to the Mozart armonica piece (Adagio and Rondo in C Minor, K.617): Bruno Hoffman’s recording was my first recording of K. 617 and, half a century later, remains my favorite.
I’m thrilled to find this video recording of Madame Brillon’s sonata by Filament in Philadelphia, published in June 2025. The three movements were recorded at Old Swedes Church, Philadelphia, and feature Evan Few, violin with Elena Kauffman, viola da gamba and John Walthausen, harpsichord. The composer would have been at the harpsichord, and, as in …
Some of the better articles on Franklin’s armonica:
Snowlion Repertory Company in Portland, Maine will premiere a new musical based on Anton Mesmer (perhaps the only man who made music for both Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and for Benjamin Franklin) this May. The cast of characters looks very promising.
A nice set of articles today, all linked: 1) Herbie Hancock awarded the Benjamin Franklin Medal 2) The Franklin Institute’s 8-Bit Digital Franklin and from May, an article by Nancy Gupton on 3) The Musical Talents of Benjamin Franklin which features a recording of the tiresome 4) Quartet attributed to Franklin.
Acclaimed Soprano Julianne Baird to Perform ‘Benjamin Franklin’s Musical Life’ June 11 at Rutgers Julianne Baird Free concert, narrated by Edward Mauger, examines founding father’s tastes. NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Benjamin Franklin wore many hats during his 84 years. Among the best known: pamphleteer, printer, inventor, philosopher, politician, sage, soldier and statesman. But there is …
SALISBURY, MD — Audiences have a rare opportunity to see one of the most unique American musical instruments played in concert as the Peter and Judy Jackson Chamber Music Series presents glass armonica musician William Zeitler. Performances are 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, November 13-14, in the Great Hall of Salisbury University’s Holloway Hall. Benjamin Franklin invented …
